Opposition leader urges international support “for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future” at OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

Chairwoman of the Unity National Movement opposition Tina Bokuchava on Thursday delivered a speech at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, highlighting the current political tensions in Georgia ahead of the “crucial” parliamentary elections in October. Bokuchava called on the international community to “actively participate” in the OSCE Election Observation Mission to “safeguard Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic trajectory”.

In her remarks, Bokuchava voiced concerns over what she described as authoritarian tactics by the ruling government “under [honorary chair of the ruling party] Bidzina Ivanishvili”.

She claimed “Ivanishvili’s administration” was using alleged Kremlin-inspired propaganda aimed at “spreading fear and maintaining power”. Bokuchava accused the government of “fostering a narrative that portrays Russia as invincible while painting peace-loving Western nations as fomenters of conflict”.

Bokuchava emphasized the importance of defending Georgia’s pro-Western ambitions in the face of the challenges, citing the imprisonment of former president Mikheil Saakashvili, whom she described as Georgia’s “most pro-Western politician”. According to her, Saakashvili’s detention on “politically motivated charges” was part of the government’s effort to “silence voices advocating for Georgia’s integration into Western institutions”.